Tag Archives: mystery

Book Review: Tokyo Heist, by Dianna Renn

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tokyo_heist_coverTokyo Heist by Dianna Renn is about a sixteen old girl named Violet. She is excited because her father is painting a mural for Kenji and Mitsue Yamada in Tokyo, Japan, and she gets to go with him. In Tokyo, with her father working for the Yamadas, Violet spends time with her best friend, Reika. Her extraordinary vacation turns upside-down when an invaluable sketch by Van Gogh, owned by her father’s clients, is stolen. With Reika, Violet pursues the search for the missing sketches and the accompanying painting. As the enigma expands, Violet isn’t sure who she should trust. Read the rest of the book to find if Violet can find the painting and save the Yamadas.

I liked this book because it perfectly infuses manga (Japanese comic books) with a real life art mystery. Readers who are interested in manga should read this book to get a little insight to it. One thing that I really did not enjoy was Violet’s fantasizing about her own manga series, which sometimes, in my opinion, got a little boring. Otherwise this novel has the perfect components of a thriller novel; action, mystery, a little romance, and adventure.

-Anmol K., 7th grade

Book Review: Sammy Keyes and the Dead Giveaway, by Wendelin Van Draanen

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sammy_keyes10While walking into class one day, Sammy accidentally slams the door on her teachers beloved bird. Instantly killing it, Sammy runs into the nearest closet, with the bird, and hides there for the entire class period. Later that day, after leaving the dead bird hidden in the closet, Sammy hears that Heather, her worst enemy, has been blamed for the bird’s death. Even though Sammy knows that Heather didn’t kill the bird, she notices that Heather has been acting guilty anyway. What could Heather have possibly done to act so guilty? And will Sammy tell her teacher that she killed to bird or will she leave Heather to take the blame for her?

A suspenseful novel with tons of humor, Wendelin Van Draanen has written a book that will keep you on your toes the entire time. If you like a relaxing yet interesting read then is the book for you.

I almost forgot– this Sammy Keyes book happens to be the last of the series. The first book is Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief and the second book is Sammy Keyes and the Skeleton Man, so make sure you read these to understand Sammy and her archenemy a little bit better.

-Marilyn J., 8th grade

Book Review: Half-Moon Investigations, by Eoin Colfer

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half_moon_investigations_coverHalf-Moon Investigations, a mysterious detective story by Eoin Colfer, is about a boy named Fletcher Moon who walks straight into the wrong fighting ring.  The story starts out with Fletcher Moon, private eye, coming to school ten minutes early to find out he should have quit his detective business for good.  He walks into a fighting ring with a Sharkey fighting in it.

Now the Sharkey family is a rule-breaker family.  If there ever was a rule that was to be broken, the Sharkeys would go far out of their way just to break it.

This time in the fighting ring there was the tallest, biggest kid in the school and Herod Sharkey.  They were in a headlock waiting for Mr. Detective Fletcher to show up. They then send Fletcher on a life-changing case.

Fletcher believes he has solved the case, but every afternoon he is asked to visit a different person’s house.  He is working for many people when he discovers his badge is missing.  At this point in the story, I think the Mission Impossible theme song should begin.  There is a conspiracy appearing behind all of the smiling, innocent faces.  Fletcher goes out on his own exploration turning away from FBI to CSI.  He finds himself in the hospital the next morning with a small concussion and a broken wrist.  He is not done yet with his new CSI job.  He creeps out of the hospital only to find himself back in the hospital hours later with a burnt-out torch in his hand.  What is happening?  Fletcher makes an unlikely friend, is treated differently, and uses his smarts to solve the mystery.

He gets his badge back, mentors another detective-in-training, and is a hero to new friends and an enemy to old.  As a film, I would recommend the song Smooth Criminal by Michael Jackson during the credits, because it reflects how Fletcher feels during the entire book.

I think Eoin Colfer did a fantastic job with this book!  I have his Artemis Fowl series, and I found a few connections between the different genres.  I love the detective aspect of this story, and Mr. Colfer wrote as though he was the detective.  I would definitely rate this book a 10 out of 10 for its wonderful detective characteristic and the superbly written story.

-Maya S., 6th grade

Book Review: Pretenders, by Lisi Harrison

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pretenders_coverPretenders is an extremely interesting book, the first in a new series by Lisi Harrison. It’s about the lives of five high school students, but it’s not a typical drama. It’s a story with an unexpected twist…

The book focuses on five freshman students who attend Noble High School: Sheridan, an aspiring singer and actress; Duffy, an athletic boy who loves basketball; Vanessa, a motivated, brilliant, but uptight girl; Jagger, whose parents are in jail; and Lily, a clever, smart girl who is in love with Duffy. Their English teacher has them write in journals every day, then keep them in locked safes that only they know the codes for. The book starts off with a note from someone who has stolen the journals from the English teacher and has revealed them to everyone. The person says they are tired of the lies in high school. Pretenders is written as a collection of random diary entries from each person’s journal.

I found this book very intriguing, but there were definitely a few things I didn’t like about it. For instance, Lisi Harrison makes several references to books she has published previously, such as the Clique series and the Monster High series. This bugged me a bit because it made me think that she was advertising her other books in this one. Also, Lisi Harrison spends the majority of the book building on the characters. I found the ending to be quite a let down because every single character was left dangling with a full-stop cliffhanger. I was really disappointed that so much of the book was taken up with the characters’ lives. However, I loved how different each character was. I also liked how the book is humorous.

So if you enjoy stories about high school experiences with plot twists, I think this series is for you.

-Rabani S., 9th grade

Book Review: Vanishing Act, by John Feinstein

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vanishing_act_coverThis book review is part of series of reviews written by students at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School for their 7th grade English classes.

Vanishing Act, by John Feinstein, is a thrilling adventure at the U.S Open. Vanishing Act is the story of a group of teenage sports writing friends who plan to spend a vacation watching the grand slam in New York. They were having a great time at the Open, until the big event happens.

When they are planning to watch their favorite tennis player, Nadia Symanova, a news topping event occurs. Minutes before her showtime, she disappears, a vanishing act. This leaves millions with the question, “What happened to Symanova?” Once this group of friends discovers this event, they must use their friendship to solve this crime.

This book was written with a lot of suspense, and flowed very smoothly. The author had a great perspective in which he wrote it, with a lot of voice.  He made the characters seem real, and made it feel like you were in the story.

I would highly recommend this book to people who enjoy an adventure, tennis, and love a great story. This story takes place at the grand train station in New York. Feinstein makes it so the station seems so real. Along with the thrilling adventure, he ties in the two themes of mystery, and friendship.

The three friends, Stevie, Bobby, and Susan, rely on each other to solve this crime. Also, there are many unexpected twists and turns in this book, “You’re right, she said. But I can’t imagine she would be involved in this.” (Feinstein 226) Vanishing Act is a great mix of friendship, mystery, and a great tennis match for all.

-Jared C., 7th grade

Book Review: Rush for the Gold, by John Feinstein

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rush_gold_coverThis book review is part of series of reviews written by students at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School for their 7th grade English classes.

Have you ever had a dream you worked your whole life to achieve? John Feinstein, a fictional sports author, captures an amazing story of a small town swimmer who dreams of someday competing for Olympic gold. John has written over six other sports books, one of them being the New York Times best seller, The Last Shot. In Rush For The Gold, he tells the story of a girl named Susan Carol Anderson and how her life changed dramatically because of just one swim meet. I strongly recommend this book for any type of athlete looking for an inspirational story, as well as a compelling and captivating read. Athletes will love the competitive nature of the story line, and every reader will love the fast pace that keeps you guessing from beginning to end.

The story starts out with Susan Carol having a flashback to the World Championships in Shanghai nine months beforehand when she beat the world record holder, Liu Zige, from China by two hundredths of a second in the final round. From that point on, Susan Carol stunned the world. That win guaranteed her a spot in the Olympic trials and laid out an amazing financial future for her and her family.  “She had gone to China hoping to swim the meet of her life. She never dreamed that succeeding would completely change her life (pg. 2).” This just goes to show that even good things lead to different sorts of change; some good and some difficult.

“It had been at a Grand Prix meet in Charlotte [North Carolina] that she [Susan Carol Anderson referred to as Susan Carol] had gone from being a solid age-group swimmer to a national contender (pg. 5).” After that meet, her life would never be the same. From people at school treating her like a star, press meetings in her free time, to agents coming to her house pleading for her to become their client.  Susan Carol faced all the changes that come with a small town girl becoming an international celebrity.  A major theme projected throughout this novel is change – being able to accept change and adapt to change, both big and small, good and bad. Although it might seem simple, there are many different types of change. In Susan Carol’s case, accepting and adapting to all the changes in her life is no easy task. Part of her being able to adjust was having the support and loyalty of her boyfriend, Stevie.

After making the Olympic team, Susan Carol swims for her life in both the 100 meter and 200 meter butterfly. She can handle pressure well, but will it be different this time with millions of people watching? From here, you will have to read the book to experience all of the twists and turns of her shocking Olympic journey.  Does all of her hard work and extreme training finally pay off?  Do her Olympic dreams come true?

-Evan T., 7th grade

Book Review: Vanishing Act, by John Feinstein

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This book review is part of series of reviews written by students at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School for their 7th grade English classes.

vanishing_act_coverI would have never thought that one of the top seeds in the U.S. Open of tennis would be kidnapped just minutes before her first round match, but in the book Vanishing Act, the unheard of scenario became a reality. Nadia Symanova was kidnapped before her first round match, and kid sleuth’s Stevie Thomas and Susan Carol Anderson are up for the mystery.

The perspective of Stevie was interesting because his thoughts and feelings came to life. Stevie is a youth journalist who attends popular sports events such as the final four which was his last stop. He is a social boy who is a knowledgeable sports fanatic. He mostly enjoys golf, and can never stay away from his IM account, which he mostly uses to talk to his crush, Susan Carol. “He needed a shower, but as usual, he checked his IM first” (8).

Susan Carol, Stevie’s partner in crime, is a kind and energetic youth journalist, as is Stevie, who is very passionate about sports. Her uncle Brendan Gibson is an agent of one of the rising stars in tennis Evelyn Rubin, but is Brendan working with other tennis players behind Evelyn’s back… You will just have to pick up the book and see.Bobby Kelleher, Stevie and Susan Carol’s journalist friend from their last stop at the Final Four is at the tournament. Bobby gets into all of the players lounges and locker rooms, and that might be very helpful after the crime.

I believe that “the sky is the limit” is the major theme of this book because, Stevie and Susan Carol are both 13 and they are nationally identified as two of the greatest youth sports journalists in America. They worked hard on something they enjoyed and it led them to fame.

Even though this book was a fictitious sports mystery I believe there was a moral. The moral being if you want to do or finish something, put your mind to it and make the dream a reality.

Even for those who do not enjoy tennis, this book is a mysterious nail biter. It isn’t a book you can put down without finishing it.

John Feinstein is a sports writer and commentator and has written many fictitious sports mysteries. He incorporates some of the books he has written in the Vanishing Act, which is an unusual writing tactic.

I give this book 5 stars, there were no flaws and everything in my opinion was perfectly explained throughout the book. The resolution really surprised me, and If I were you I would pick up this book right now, find a comfortable chair, and dig into this unbelievable book!

-Peter G., 7th grade

Book Review: Double, by Jenny Valentine

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double_coverThe mysterious pages of Double, by Jenny Valentine, will keep readers in suspense every twist and turn.

This mystery book is centered on a boy known as Chap, a sixteen-year-old runaway. After living on the streets for several years, one event changes his life forever. When police detain him for fighting, they discover an ad in the newspaper for a missing boy named Cassiel Roadnight. After realizing he has nothing to lose, Chap takes on a new identity with the caring family and home he never had.

Every minute is a challenge for him; Cassiel’s family could discover the truth at any moment. However, nobody realizes the truth, except for a friend of Cassiel’s named Floyd. Slowly, the two begin to piece together what really happened on the day Cassiel disappeared. Will Chap find out his true identity, and finally find a family of his own? This highly dramatic and thought-provoking story is sure to keep anyone at the edge of their seat.

Chap is a very intelligent and thoughtful person. His every motive is clear and simple, so readers can understand his every subtle or bold action. His emotions and thoughts really show through as he struggles to cope with his life spiraling out of control. As if building a house of cards, Chap is now forced to add layer after layer of deception, knowing that in the end it will all come tumbling down.

Valentine does a superb job with this murder mystery, skillfully meshing teenage emotions and the cold reality of the world. Double shows deep emotions about family and loved ones, and will have a profound impact on readers. Chap’s wit and quick thinking will aid him on his path to redemption as readers cheer him on. Double is a new, quick read that will definitely satisfy any reader’s crave for mystery.

-Phillip X., 7th grade

Book Review: Golden, by Jessi Kirby

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golden_coverDo you often find yourself wondering, what if? What if I would have done that instead? What if I would’ve taken the risk?

Jessi Kirby’s latest novel, Golden, which hits bookstores everywhere on May 14, explores these questions and more.

After I read about Parker Frost and her journey to discover not only what happened with the town’s golden couple that died in an accident ten years ago, but also what she truly wants for herself, I felt like I really understood Parker. It amazed me how Jessi Kirby found words to paint such a realistic world. I could visualize everything and really put myself in the situation, almost shedding a tear or two in some instances. And, the connections Kirby creates with Robert Frost and his work throughout the novel was really cool because it made the book more unique and added layers to it.

But maybe, it is because I completely relate to Parker, her goals, and the way she has led her whole life that I really loved this book. The story revolves around a journal that Parker finds that leads her to making choices that she never might have had the courage to make otherwise. Yet there was so much more to the book than a girl breaking out of her shell; I felt that I learned so much from conclusions that Parker makes. Jessi Kirby eloquently states the things that we already know but ignore or are too afraid to state sometimes.

Two of my favorite quotes are:

“People always put their own spin on things, remember what they want to remember, and somewhere in the middle of it all is the truth – the real version – one you could only write yourself if you were willing to.” (p. 33)

“…chance brought them together and choice made them stay.” (p. 108)

The way I was able to get wrapped up in the book made it impossible for me to set aside. I was sad it was over so soon. So, if you are looking for something quick and worthwhile to read, Golden should definitely be on the top of your list! And if you love plot twists as much as I do, the end will definitely catch you off guard. Enjoy!

-Liliana M., 12th grade

Editor’s note:  This review was based on an Advance Readers Copy generously provided by Simon & Schuster.

Don’t miss author Jessi Kirby when she visits Mission Viejo on Saturday, May 18th! As part of the Summer Lovin’ tour, Kirby will speak alongside other popular YA authors, Kimberly Derting, Megan Matson, Shannon Messenger, Sarah Ockler, and Suzanne Young. This exciting event begins at 3:00 pm in the Friends of the Library Storytime Room at 100 Civic Center.

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This free program is sponsored by the Friends of the Mission Viejo Library and A Whale of a Tale Bookshoppe. Books will be available for purchase and signing. For more information or to make a reservation contact the Reference Desk at (949) 830-7100, ext. 5105.